The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

February 21, 2012 #4,390 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Barefoot Running Okay for Training, But Not For Long Distances: IL Podiatrist

Dr. Michael Chin, sports medicine podiatrist and medical director of The Running Institute, says barefoot running is a good training tool to improve the mechanics of running, but he doesn’t recommend it for long distances. “You can work on cadence, how fast your legs are turning over per minute,” said Dr. Chin. “Barefoot runners use short, choppier steps, versus longer strides for those running with shoes.”

Dr. Michael Chin

Some of the injuries Dr. Chin has seen from barefoot runners are “stress fractures of the bones in the balls of the foot, calf tears, and Achilles tendon tears.” “I’d recommend [barefoot running] for training but not for long distance because we’ve seen just as many injuries with barefoot running as we do with regular shoes,” said Dr. Chin. “If they are fit properly and supported properly, shoes make a big difference. There are very few people who would run 26.2 miles [a marathon distance] barefoot.”

Source: Yasmin Rammohan, WTTW [2/16/12]

WI Podiatrists to See Patients at Community Hospital

Drs. Todd Sommer and April Borchardt, podiatry specialists, will begin seeing patients in March at Community Memorial Hospital Health Center. The Prevea Health doctors will provide the full range of treatment for foot and ankle conditions, including arthritis, diabetic foot management, injuries, flatfoot, and bunions.

Drs. Todd Sommer and April Borchardt

Sommer is board certified in podiatric surgery and family medicine. He is the medical director for the St. Vincent Hospital Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. Borchardt completed her residency at Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo, Iowa, and received a medical degree from Des Moines University.

Source: Richard Ryman, Green Bay Gazette [2/17/12]

AAMC Approves New Medical College Admission Test

Starting in 2015, when aspiring doctors take the MCAT® examination, they will need more than a solid basis in the natural sciences. Under changes approved today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), they also will need an understanding of the psychology, sociology, and biology that provide the foundation for learning about the human and social components of health.

The changes to the MCAT exam were developed by a 21-member advisory panel, the MR5 Advisory Committee, appointed by the AAMC in 2008 to review the exam, which is used for admission to medical school as well as by some other health professions including osteopathy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.

Source: Review Seeker [2/17/12]

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: What suggestions can you offer to someone who has a good research idea and wants to obtain an NIH grant?

Dr. Jeffrey Jensen

Jeffrey Jensen: The National Institutes of Health look at a combination of things before providing a grant. These include the significance of the medical problem, the innovation of the idea, and the environment for carrying out the research. What I learned is that you can't do this alone. You need to get a team to make this work, including an engineer, a grant writer, and a statistician. You then need to meet the “players” at NIH and other organizations. This is like developing a referral network for your practice. 

Drs. Lowell Weil, Sr., Lawrence DiDomenico, and Guido Laporta

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). This week's guests are podiatric surgeons Lowell Weil, Sr., Lawrence DiDomenico, and Guido Laporta. You can register for future events by clicking here

Query: Achilles Tendon Pathologies

Is anyone aware of Achilles tendon pathologies occuring in patients on Crestor?

Norm Wortzman, DPM, Boston, MA

RE: The Passing of Fred Schuckert, DPM

Those of us in the OCPM class of 1976 will fondly remember the unique sound of laughter that was immediately identifiable as that of Fred Schuckert. I have been fortunate enough to have maintained almost weekly contact with Fred through our mutual interest in playing extemporaneous music. Fred passed away suddenly on Friday morning (Feb 17). He will be missed by his many friends, his patients, and his bandmates.
 
Jim Seiple, DPM (retired), Cleveland, OH

RE: Unknown Lesions on Legs (Razi Ahmed, DPM)
From: Brandon Hawkins, DPM, Larry Aronberg, DPM

Dr. Razi, having worked in the central Valley/Bakersfield for years, I recommend that you consider Valley fever.

Brandon Hawkins, DPM, Bakersfield, CA, bjhawkdpm@hotmail.com

Re-biopsy. Send to a dermatopathologist, not a general pathologist.

Larry Aronberg, DPM, Lake Worth, FL, lwp01@bellsouth.net

RE: Calcaneal Pain (Michael Ryan, DPM)
From: Carlos A Rojas, DPM, Eric Edelman, DPM

Does the cavus foot deformity only involve the hindfoot?  Have you considered any other diagnosis such as Charcot Marie Tooth disease?

If it is an isolated hindfoot cavus deformity, a calcaneus osteotomy with postero-dorsal translation and plantar fascia release will correct the calcaneal deformity.

Carlos A Rojas, DPM. Miami, FL, crojavec@yahoo.com

I have taken care of around half a dozen Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease patients who present with rigid, cavovarus foot, as seen in your x-ray. One patient had a triple arthrodesis because the subtalar joint facets were severely arthritic, and she was older. I fixated her fusion in a few degrees of valgus. She was happy with this, and wears regular footgear now. She has returned to have hammertoe surgery recently; the fusion didn't do much for her claw toes.

The remaining patients were younger (20-40's), but had rigid deformities. These patients had Dwyer osteotomies of the calcaneus, a closing wedge osteotomy at the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint, and open plantar fasciotomies, where I released most of the fascia in a Z-lengthening fashion. One patient had a...

Editor's Note: Dr. Edelman's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Complete Tear of Peroneus Longus (David Taylor, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Siegel, DPM

A PB tenodesis is the easiest and most convenient procedure. This is a very unusual location for a PL tear. I treated a case exactly the same as that of your patient. I chose to re-attach the PL back to its insertion. Here is what I did:

Starting with a 2mm drill bit, I sequentially drilled up to a 5mm hole in the base of the 1st metatarsal in a distal-medial to proximal-lateral direction. I then pulled the ruptured PL from under the cuboid into the lateral wound; debrided the edges and placed 0-Fiberwire in a Kraco fashion into the tendon end. Then through a separate incision, I dissected to the myotendinous junction of the PL and performed a Z-lengthening. I then went back to the 1st metatarsal drill hole medially and inserted a 20 gauge stainless steel wire (any suture passer will do) under the cuboid plantar notch toward the lateral wound.

I pulled the PL tendon stump via the fiberwire back under the cuboid, within the notch, into the hole, and inserted a tenodesis screw medially and anchored the fiberwire ends to the soft tissues. Then, under physiologic tension, I repaired the Z-lengthening. Post-operatively, she was immobilized 3 week, started PT at that time, and she returned to full activities by 3 months. She is 4 years post-op and fully functional with an orthotic.
 
Jeffrey Siegel, DPM, Bensalem, PA, Heeldoc@verizon.net

RE: Non-Surgical Treatments Above the Ankle
From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

With the shortage of residencies, and perhaps some younger doctors not interested in advanced surgery, there is a need to consider non-surgical treatments as well. We agree that podiatry has been a surgical profession. But there is room for a great deal more.
 
One such option is trigger point injections for myofascial pain and other conditions that affect the anatomy proximal to the ankle. Some state laws are very "generous" in their definition of the ankle, in that they include the talus, tibia, fibula, and defining soft tissues that insert into it. According to this definition, the muscles of the upper leg are in that same group, since they insert into the tibia and fibula. Most podiatry laws are specific in preventing surgery for podiatrists on the knee and above. But they are far less clear when it comes to soft tissue considerations. I hope that as more podiatrists read my article in Podiatry Management on non-surgical procedures, they will consider non-surgical treatments above the knee.
 
This will result in letters to various state boards around the country requesting clarification of those treatments. I hope that podiatry boards will follow the laws they have and consider muscles that insert (and not just originate) into the tibia and fibula as part of the "functional" foot and ankle. I believe we already have the laws we need to do this in all but six states.
 
My question to State Board members is: "Do you intend to artificially stunt podiatry by restricting our own published laws?"
 
Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM, San Jose, CA, Rosey1@prodigy.net

RE: Podiatric Physicians Practice Podiatric Medicine: RIP Podiatry (Eric Roberts, DPM)
From: Daniel. J. Tucker, DPM, Leonard A. Levy, DPM

I completely agree with Dr. Roberts. His commentary summarizes exactly the attitude that we as podiatric physicians and foot and ankle surgeons need to perpetuate in order to remain an integral part of the healthcare community. The nomenclature attached to our medical degrees and post-graduate training programs reflects the progression that we as a profession have made in past decades. It's time for our professional titles to catch up as well.

Daniel. J. Tucker, DPM, Atlanta, GA, reekat@aol.com

For most of the history of medicine, the term “physician” referred to someone who treated the whole body. According to practice acts in every state, MDs and DOs are licensed as physicians and surgeons. But that is an overstatement, certainly far from being true, not in the best interest of the public, and an anachronism. For example, psychiatrists and radiologists are licensed physicians and surgeons. But if these highly qualified physicians did any surgery, they would be targets of massive malpractice actions. DPMs independently diagnose, prescribe drugs, order laboratory tests, perform invasive surgery, and treat fractures.

That is certainly the practice of medicine regardless of what the law may state. Laws in some states prohibit us from saying we are physicians, but because of what we do, we are physicians. Such laws will continue and remain a dinosaur until and unless we engage with vigor in changing them. No one will do that for us.

Leonard A. Levy, DPM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, levyleon@nova.edu

RE: TX Podiatrist Awarded a Patent for Flatfoot Implant
From: Steven J. Kaniadakis, DPM

Dr. Gary Lepow is the kind of practitioner in our profession that we need to hear more about. This kind of doctor inspires us all, including podiatric residents, students, and would-be students. I would like to hear more about how these achievements are made and what kind of challanges do people like this face, before, during, and after the process.

Steven J. Kanidakis, DPM,  St. Petersburg, FL, stevenkdpm@yahoo.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Koven Doppler, Synthes Titanium Mini Frag screw set, Zimmer & Hall Micro 100 set (all 5 heads including wire driver), Two full major surgical instrument sets, miscellaneous surgical tools including osteotome set (curved & straight). All German stainless steel. Best offer. Retired due to illness. Call 586-675-4311 or 440-285-2827. Dr. Gary Docks.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Cosman Radiofrequency Generator for Sale! Model RFG-1B Like New Condition. Comes with Manual, 17 Dispersive Electrodes, 2 CSK-R 10 Kits, 2 CSK-R 5 Kits, 11 CC RF Cannula 10cm/10mm/22G, 4 CC RF Cannula 10cm/5mm/22G, 1 - 5cm RF Cannula/22G (4mm Sharp Curved Tip), & 2 Replacement Fuses. Asking $10,500 OBO Please Contact: nffpbosk@gmail.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Koven Smartdop 45 hand-held Doppler w/training CD, operator's manual and reference guide. PC compatible (used less than 20 hours). Cryostar cryosurgery- tabletop unit with (2) Hand-PC (4) probes (2 dull, 2 sharp) for Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and fibromas. Comes with rolling carrying case, training CD & instruction manual. Also CryoPen, CryoProbe case, several N2O cartridges (for warts, etc.). Diabetic inserts, all different sizes. Please email me at young_jolene@yahoo.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - COOL BREEZE COOT TOUCH VARIA

Cool Breeze Coot Touch Varia. Very low use. You won't find a laser at this price. $39,500. Has about 19 hours of use of it. E-mail for photos, and ask any questions. Will go fast. David Zuckerman DPM 856-229-2939 footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ARE YOU CONSIDERING A PADNET UNIT?

If so, save thousands of dollars on a lightly used unit with venous option and laptop. Why pay full price for our unit which is in perfect working order. We also have a SIUI CTS 200 ultrasound with 7 mHz probe and SONY printer. Let's Make a Deal!! Call 516-220-8258 today.

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Outstanding Opportunity. Our medical surgical group is recruiting a well-trained licensed podiatric physician. Located in Beautiful upstate NY. Full hospital privileges, as well as working with two residency programs. Must be highly motivated and great with patients. Opportunity for growth. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please send CV to associateinfoot@yahoo.com

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA- SAVANNAH & SURROUNDING AREAS

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking podiatrist looking to build a career & long-term relationship. Either established practicing physician or new residency graduate. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Well established practice needs a career-minded podiatrist for associate position leading to Fast Track Partnership. Competitive salary/benefits. Busy practice. Great location. Board Certification a plus. Part-time or full-time. Immediate availability, but will wait for best candidate. GardenStateDPM@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

I'm not just looking for an associate. I am looking for a doctor who wants to build a highly successful career with a doctor who is as committed to their success as he is to his own. Go towww.YourFutureInPodiatry.com to find out about this opportunity.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN KENTUCKY

Available in beautiful southern Kentucky in progressive, multi-office practice with 6 providers. Excellent base salary, malpractice, full benefit package with 2-year track to partnership. Looking for someone that wants to grow with our practice, work hard and develop relationships with local hospitals and surrounding communities. Strong communication skills, bedside manner and willingness to learn a must. Narrow window for interviews: email CV and letter of interest before March 1: footdocky@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL NJ

Looking for a three-year surgically-trained associate who has entrepreneurial spirit. Partnership guaranteed within three years for the right person. Must be very outgoing and personable. Great opportunity for a person who is confident and a go getter. drwfoot@verizon.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHEAST GA

Well-established 18 year practice in Northeast Georgia seeking full-time associate leading to partnership. General podiatric care with moderate amount of surgery to be done in local hospital or surgery center. Competitive salary and benefits.  Please respond by email to: Fivetoes1946@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - MULTIPLE STATES

Podiatrist Needed in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Vermont. Expanding multi-state medical practice seeking podiatrists to service long-term care community residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We offer an established patient base, scheduling, equipment allowance and cover travel expenses. Provide generous compensation, bonus opportunities, disability, health insurance benefits, malpractice coverage and flexible scheduling. Looking for a Podiatrist with excellent skills, able to provide expert and compassionate care to patients. Email CV to: careers@aggeus.org or call 773-770-0140 x300/x305.  www.aggeus.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Looking for 3rd associate. Must be personable, well trained and highly motivated. Great locations in Southern Maryland, including an Ambulatory Surgical Center. We currently have EHR, digital radiography, dispensing center and PADNet. Looking for immediate hire! Please send CV to:myfeetfeet@aol.com

PART-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Busy podiatrist looking for assistance with patients located in facilities, homes, office, etc. Flexible hours, independence, and great compensation. If interested email CV to or call Terri at 323-353-8103.homefootcare@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA

Emerald Coast on the North Shore of the Gulf of Mexico, a well-established group practice with multi-offices, seeking an associate with opportunity for partnership for a PSR-24/36 Doctor well-trained in foot/ankle/diabetic problems/wound care/surgical and medical podiatric care, covering 3 area hospitals, NO nursing homes. e-mail letter of interest, CV, and references to basewedge@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – F/T MARYLAND

Looking for a bright, hard-working, personality plus, extremely well trained podiatrist with both top notch surgical and non-surgical skills. Remarkable opportunity with our busy practice. Excellent salary and benefits. Email CV and salary requirements to Marylandpodiatrist@live.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MIAMI, FLORIDA

well established modern practice all phases of podiatric medicine/surgery needs associate. Respond with CV and cover letter. podiatristinsouthflorida@aol.com

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